Notre Dame (9-0) is off to its best start since 1993, when it finished the season ranked No. 2. Pitt (4-5) missed a potential winning field goal in overtime.

Kelly pulled Golson late in the second quarter because he was missing reads and progressions. But the coach put Golson back in after backup Tommy Rees threw an interception and the Irish fell behind by two touchdowns.

‘‘Our quarterback needed to be out there mobile, make some plays outside the pocket — asked him if he was ready to go, he said he was and we put him back in,’’ Kelly said.

Golson threw an 11-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter as Notre Dame cut Pitt’s lead to 20-12. Notre Dame’s chances for a comeback appeared to end when Pitt cornerback K'Waun Williams intercepted a pass by Golson in the end zone.

But the Irish defense held, and Golson completed a 45-yard pass to DaVaris Daniels at the Pitt 5. Golson then threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Theo Riddick and ran in for the 2-point conversion to tie the game.

Kelly gave the game ball to Golson.

‘‘I think I did a great job of leading the team coming down the stretch. Coming out today we came out a little flat. As far as me personally, I missed a couple reads I should have had. Instead of putting 3 points on the board you put 6,’’ Golson said. ‘‘But I feel like in the stretch we really came together.’’

Notre Dame avoided the fate of the 2002 team, the last Irish team to start a season 8-0, which was upset by Boston College, 14-7. But just barely.

A victory seemed unlikely when they fell behind, 20-6, late in the third quarter, again when Williams intercepted Golson’s pass in the end zone and yet again when running back Cierre Wood fumbled as he attempted to dive into the end zone in the second overtime and Pitt safety Jarred Holley recovered.

But the Irish kept finding life, the last time when Kevin Harper missed a 33-yard field goal wide right following Wood’s fumble.

‘‘We missed a field goal, that’s why we lost the game,’’ Pitt quarterback Tino Sunseri said. ‘‘It came down to a special teams play, we didn’t make the play. Give credit to Notre Dame for being able to finish it off.’’

Golson was 23 of 42 for 227 yards and rushed for 74 yards as well, as he kept the Pitt defense off balance. The Irish needed his big plays to overcome a stellar performance from Pitt’s Ray Graham, who rushed for 172 yards, including runs of 55 and 48 yards.